Pyjama day for Bean

Bean spent the whole of yesterday in his pyjamas. He told us in the morning he was tired and wanted to spend the day in bed and did almost just that. He played mostly in his room in the morning, had a picnic lunch on his bedroom floor, played a little with his brother after lunch, joined his classmates for a Zoom birthday storytime from his bed, joined us for a family film (bundled up in his duvet), took part in a zoom bingo game with his grandparents, had a bubble bath with his brother and then went back to bed. 

This feels noteworthy as in 8 years of parenting I’ve never allowed one of the boys to spend a whole day in their pyjamas. On reflection, the times when this is most called for are when I’m doing the single-parent thing and so it’s just not possible. There’s the dog walk to do - for which slippers and pjs just don’t cut it. Or there’s shopping or birthday parties and I’m just not willing to be the mum who goes to town with her child in pyjamas (a dressing up onsie yes - but that’s my limit.) For the past 8 years my position has very much been that I might look dishevelled, and more likely than not be out and about wearing clothes that really should have been thrown out years before as they don’t flatter me at all having been stretched out of shape by grabbing hands, but the children will be dressed. 

Yesterday though we just didn’t care. There was no need to go out. In fact, the fun of social

isolation means we’re actively encouraged not to go out. So whilst one adult took Percy and Bug out, the other stayed home with pyjama boy. And it felt strangely liberating.  He was happy. We didn’t care. It was one less battle about getting dressed and getting outside. The weather was cold and grey - I’m just a bit jealous I’d already got dressed by the time this decision was made or I could have had a pyjama day. 

Looking ahead though, I think each of us is allowed to call it at least once whilst we’re in this weird covid world. Each member of the family can claim a pyjama day and head back to their room for some lockdown liberation. I like to think I’ll have a chance next but my money’s on Bug. 

Family snuggles during a very rare family film afternoon watching Wreck It Ralph with the adults staying awake throughout!